After a 6 month break, we are rebooting our Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch and our blog. We will be adding new content shortly. While on a badly needed break, we’ve been waiting for the appointment of our new L.A.P.D. Senior Lead Officer. As many of you know, Officer Art Gallegos was promoted to Sergeant and was transferred to the Pacific Division area back in April. Approval to fill his position was only recently approved — so a new S.L.O. should be announced very soon. If you have questions, suggestions for stories or content, please email us at moc.n1438554151oitca1438554151esorl1438554151em@su1438554151-tcat1438554151noc1438554151! Once a new SLO for our area is in place, we anticipate restarting our successful “Meetings at Your Corner” program. Coming up will be our annual Melrose Action National Night Out at Poinsettia Park scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 – more details on that to come!

Scores of homes in and around our area are being bought up by developers and then torn down to make way for new houses — what many call Mega Mansions or Mc Mansions. Teams of realtors that represent these developers knock on doors, leave letters and flyers offering cash for owners to sell their homes and fast for quick cash.

Realtors tell us that the land value for a 6000 sq ft. “lot” around the Melrose Area is running about $1.2 million. We say “lot” because these developers have no use for the older homes at all. The houses being built to replace the older homes go on the real estate market for about $2.6 to $3.5 million or higher even. Streets such as the 700 N. Block of Vista Street just north of Melrose are seeing 3 -4 new homes being built on that one block alone. This is not just endemic of our area.

Many neighbors are outraged by the size and scope of these new houses and are demanding they be stopped or at least scaled down to a size that better fits the area we live in. Not every neighbor is against these new houses however. Some say that they are improving the neighborhood, raising property values, bringing in more tax revenue to the city and county, and finally offering change to an area that has been stagnant for 50 years or more. Opponents say that these developers could care less about the giant houses they build saying it’s all about greed and that they use loopholes in building codes to construct the biggest house on the most squarefootage possible and profiting handsomely and care nothing about improving the neighborhood. Proponents say that these “Mega Mansions” bring needed change and upgrades to our area. The debate is on!

Melrose Action has set a “Meeting on Mansionization” to be held this Wednesday December 10th at 7:30 PM at Poinsettia Park Recreation Center in the Big Gym. Click here for Map Location . Officials from the City Of Los Angeles will be there. If you have an opinion on this matter, for or against them — you are encouraged to attend. The flyer for this meeting can be downloaded here. Please help get the word out. Repost to your Facebook, Twitter pages and tell your neighbors!

Parking Restrictions Relaxed For the Meeting

Council Member Paul Koretz has relaxed Parking Restrictions in the area around the meeting. The times of the lifted restrictions are from 5 PM – 9 PM ONLY on Wednesday December 10th, 2014. What this means is that the area from La Brea Avenue west to Stanley Avenue (including Stanley Avenue), and Melrose Avenue north to the West Hollywood border you will be able to park in Preferential Parking District / Permit parking spaces, Passenger or School Bus Loading Zones (White Curb), Street Cleaning, Time Limit Restricted Parking (e.g. “2 Hour Parking”), and Time of Day Restrictions (e.g. “No Parking 10am – 12pm’) without being ticketed. You will NOT be need to have a parking permit in the those areas within the designated zone listed above to park on a street with parking permit requirements. To be clear, this is only good on Wednesday December 10th, 2014 from 5 PM – 9 PM ONLY. Thanks to Council member Paul Koretz and staff for arranging this.

Detectives from L.A.P.D. Hollywood and West Bureau Division arrested a resident in the 300 N. Block of Sierra Bonita on Wednesday September 24th – suspected of Sexual Assault of two, possibly three women. The suspect — Melrose Action learned — was said to be a 9 year resident in an apartment building on Sierra Bonita. Apparently victims may, may have been residents of the same building or lured there through ads for apartments for rent. This same suspect was accused of sexual assault in a older case out of Massachusetts – but the suspect was ultimately found not guilty, neighbors say. If you have any information that may help this investigation, please contact the L.A.P.D. at 1-877-ASK-LAPD.. More later..

Dog owners beware. Likely starting a month from now, Los Angeles Police and L.A. City Animal Services officers will soon be able to issue new “citations” to people who commit offenses like urinating in public,dumping trash on public streets, or having your dogs off leash on city streets and parks. Other violations could include drinking in public, using fireworks, and smoking in prohibited areas.

Spearheaded by L.A. City Council member Paul Koretz, the new pilot program called “Administrative Citation Enforcement” gives city departments like the L.A.P.D. and Animal Services the ability to bypass the traditional court related route that would result in court fines and/or appearances.

Koretz told the L.A.Times that officers were usually reluctant to “initiate” court cases for minor offenses hence making it difficult to enforce these Quality-of-life issues. “There is no good appropriate action with teeth,” said Koretz, who proposed the concept for the program which was approved by the council last year. For instance, people can ignore repeated warnings about walking their dogs off leash, he said. “The city just needs a little clout,” Koretz said. “This is one of the most frequent complaints we get: that the city doesn’t enforce its regulation — and it’s true.”

According to the L.A. Times — Under the program, most first offenses would be $250, the second $500 and the third $1,000. Fines for animal-related offenses begin at $100, then increase to $250 and then $500. In each incident, officers can still decide whether to issue a warning, a financial penalty or a criminal case.

The program, which is expected to generate $1.59 million in net revenue annually, still requires final approval from Mayor Eric Garcetti before it can go into effect. It is believed the Mayor will back the measure.

What do you think about this new enforcement? Please post your comments below.

Our second “Meeting At Your Corner” will take place Wednesday, September 10th, 2014 at 7:15pm at the corner of Harper Avenue and Waring Avenue… The meeting is hosted by the L.A.P.D. Wilshire Station, our L.A.P.D. Senior Lead Officer Art Gallegos, and Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch.

The LAPD Wilshire Mobile Command Post will be on hand along with Command Staff from the station plus officials from Council member Paul Koretz’ office and our local L.A. City Attorney’s Neighborhood Prosecutor. A member of the L.A.P.D. Traffic Division has been invited to answer concerns about speeding, stop signs, etc.

If you have concerns about crime and traffic in our area, please attend this meeting. This is your chance to speak directly to your local police officers and commanders. Check back here for more locations of a “Meeting At Your Corner” soon.

The West Hollywood attack was reported at 11 p.m. Friday in 1000 N. Blk. of Gardner Street just south of Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles County (West Hollywood) Sheriff’s officials said.

The Los Angeles Times reported… “On Friday, a couple driving home Friday from Universal City (South on Highland Avenue then turned west on Santa Monica Bl) noticed a tan or gold SUV alongside them, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Bowman said. They briefly lost sight of the vehicle, but later saw the SUV driving behind them with its lights off, Bowman said.

The sheriff’s official statement of the incident is as follows..

“As the victims [then] drove eastbound westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard (from Highland Ave), they lost sight of the suspect’s SUV. As the victims continued to drive, they noticed the suspect’s SUV directly behind them, driving with the headlights off. The victims turned left onto Gardner Street from Santa Monica Boulevard, when the suspect’s SUV drove next to the victim’s vehicle passenger side and fired three rounds from a shotgun. The victims were not injured from the gunfire nor from the shattered glass from the blown out rear window.

The victim’s vehicle sustained significant damage by gunfire which resulted in a blown out rear window and damage to the bed of the truck.”

What’s troubling is that this same suspect has now been linked to several murders and heinous incidents over the past week..

• Wednesday morning, a 42-year-old woman was seriously wounded as she got off the 5 Freeway in Atwater Village

• Thursday, Gildardo Morales, 48, was found dead, slumped over the wheel of his truck at a Pacoima intersection after leaving a Home Depot store, his engine still running – for no apparent reason.

• Friday – the shooting on Gardner and Santa Monica Blvd.

• Saturday – this same suspect is believed to have shot three dogs – two of which are known dead – in the Pacoima area.

• Sunday – 6 a.m., when a 23-year-old woman was killed and her parents critically injured in San Fernando while they were driving to church in the San Fernando Valley.

• Sunday – At 6:35 a.m., a 29-year-old man walking near the Sylmar Recreation Center was shot and killed. Ten minutes later, a woman — identified by relatives as Gloria Esperanza Tobar, 59 — was gunned down in Pacoima as she was waiting for a friend before church.

The Los Angeles Police Department continued Wednesday to investigate links between a Sylmar man and a series of shootings that left four people dead and several others wounded.

Calling him a “serial killer,” authorities on Tuesday charged Alexander Hernandez with murder and attempted murder in some of the cases.

LAPD officials said they believe Hernandez acted alone and was randomly shooting people on local streets and freeways. Investigators have yet to determine a motive, saying Hernandez had been uncooperative with detectives since his arrest late Sunday.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Station together with Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch will hold it’s first “Meeting At Your Corner” tonight, Wednesday August 27th at 7:30pm.

Residents are encouraged to gather at the corner of Waring Avenue and Curson Avenue and share their concerns about crime or incidents that have occurred in the area. LAPD Wilshire will be bringing it’s mobile command post vehicle to the area for the meeting. Our newly appointed Neighborhood Prosecutor will also be on hand to answer questions.

On hand will be our Senior Lead Officer Art Gallegos, John Darnell from Council member Paul Koretz’ office, LAPD Wilshire Captain Eric Davis, and others.

CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

This meeting will be the first in a series that will take place throughout the area over the next few months at various street corners. The next meeting date and location will be updated soon.

Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Station have announced plans for “Meetings at Your Corner”.. The new concept has neighborhood watch meetings being held at various street corners in our coverage area usually on Wednesday evenings during the fall season. Neighbors and merchants around the area of the meeting are encourages to join. If you feel a “Meeting at your Corner” is needed drop us an email at moc.n1438554151oitca1438554151esorl1438554151em@su1438554151-tcat1438554151noc1438554151.

The location of the first meeting at your corner will be on Wednesday, August 27th at 7:30 pm at the southwest corner of Waring Avenue and Curson Avenue. Map of location is here.

We just received word that a body has been discovered in the parking lot next to Canter’s Deli... Not known yet if a homicide, suicide, or…. more later… Updates on our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/melroseaction.

UPDATE: LAPD Wilshire now says that body discovered in the parking lot adjacent to Canter’s Deli Update: Adjacent to Plan Check Restaurant on Fairfax may have been a local known transient, apparently may have fallen and hit head etc… more later. Found in the 300 N. Block of Fairfax…

Summer is here and so is our brand new monthly real estate update for the Melrose/Fairfax/Beverly Corridor. I’m thrilled to be writing this new feature for Melrose Action and look forward to sharing more great information in future editions. Look for my updates around the 1st of each month.

Times are changing…It used to be that west of Fairfax was a highly desirable area to buy a home, but no longer. Current trends are showing that east of Fairfax is really starting to flourish with new restaurants, shops, and new construction. As you are probably aware, there are a number of properties being acquired for re-construction of brand new homes. Currently, there are 20 or more new construction sites around the area and at least five or more remodels underway. In my experience, these new homes will greatly improve the area over time and lift land values overall. These rebuilds are replacing homes that, in many instances, are badly in need of repair and have, in fact, hurt overall home prices rather than help them.

New construction has added $300,000 to $400,000 more for land value alone. It is a huge windfall for the home owners, and unexpected. Builders are paying $1,150,000 – $1,300,000 for land value alone, unprecedented in our area. While some have expressed distaste for the modern architectural lines used in design of some of the new homes, there are some that include a california spanish style as well. These new homes will likely sell for between $2.5 – $3.0 million dollars!! Overall I think the abundance of newly constructed homes will be a long term positive for real estate values and the area in general.

Here’s some data from recently sold homes from January to June 2014. Please note there have been some sold homes not on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). I’d also like to point out that there are many homes now in escrow and are not listed here.

SOLD PROPERTIES

Address

Sale Price

Bed+Bath

Lot Size

Date Sale

832 N Sierra Bonita

$1,222,000

3+2

6300 lot

Sold 6/9/14

823 N Gardner

$1,150,000

3+2

6503 lot

Sold 5/16/14

733 N Gardner

$1,300,000

3+2

6500 lot

Sold 5/12/14

732 N Fuller

$1,291,875

3+2

7400 lot

Sold 5/1/14

720 N Alta Vista Bl

$1,190,000

4+2

7699 lot

Sold 3/26/14

717 N Sierra Bonita

$1,239,000

3+2

5200 lot

Sold 4/30/14

642 N Laurel

$2,500,000

4+5

6531 lot

Sold 3/31/1

621 N La Jolla

$2,965,000

4+4

6549 lot

Sold 3/7/14

617 N Fuller

$3,000,000

5+6

8231 lot

Sold 1/10/1

607 N Curson

$1,280,000

2+2

6500 lot

Sold 5/28/14

560 N Orlando

$1,100,000

3+2

5749 lot

Sold 3/17/14

538 N Harper

$2,495,000

4+4

4855 lot

Sold 3/10/14

514 N Flores

$1,218,500

3+2

4587 lot

Sold 3/7/14

453 N Sweetzer

$2,360,000

5+5.5

5855 lo

Sold 4/20/14

414 N La Jolla

$2,550,000

4+6

6587 lot

Sold 3/5/14

410 N Alfred

$1,899,000

4+4

6965 lot

Sold 3/24/14

141 N Gardner

$1,610,000

3+2

5984 lot

Sold 1/14/14

127 N Gardner

$1,340,000

3+4

5984 lot

Sold 2/27/14

122 N Alta Vista Bl

$1,789,000

3+2

7699 lot

Sold 2/14/14

HOMES FOR SALE

Address

List Price

Bed+Bath

Lot Size

New Construction

360 N Harper

$2,950,000

4+4

6145

Yes

419 N Laurel

$2,395,000

6+6

6553

854 N Orlando

$4,495,000

3+4

12432

Yes

316 N La Jolla

$1,195,000

2+ 2

6549

901 N Laurel

$2,749,000

5+6

6602

Yes

7658 Willoughby

$672,500

2+1

2543

823 N Vista

$1,445000

7+4

6204

750 N Fuller

$1,149,000

3+2

4400

843 N Genesee

$2,600,000

4+4

6500

Yes

A brand-new 9 unit apartment building just finished construction at 843 N Fuller Avenue and has just been listed for sale at $6,250,0009. The rental units are offered from $3250 for 2 beds and $4,000 for 3 beds.

Some of you may have heard that a BID (Business Improvement District) has been formed along Melrose Avenue between Fairfax Av and Highland Av. This is a positive for the area and will go a long way in building towards a higher level of retail establishments, hence improving the desirability of the area and property values along with it.

On another note I know many of you are wonderful pet owners like myself. The area of Melrose Village is becoming a popular name for a very walkable, dog friendly area. If you have a pet and are looking for pet friendly apartment space you might try the building at 1030 N. Curson. It allows dogs, and so many pet owners live there. My heart breaks when I hear that so many people have to give up their pets because places of residence won’t allow pets. I think the trend is moving towards more pet friendly living spaces because they don’t do any harm at all, and I speak from experience, as I have rented out my duplex to dog and cat owners for the last 12 years.

Lost and Found: I recently rescued two tiny 1 lb. kittens that were so sick. One lost her eye. The vet bills are no fun, but if it means saving the poor babies and taking them out of their misery – starving on the street, how can we not? They are now fostered, thanks to Eryn Elliot and her quick response in helping me with the rescue. If you are looking for a cat or kitten, please let me know.

Are you curious about income properties in the area? Look for more in our next month’s post along with updates to listings and sales.

The following crime trends are from 6/1/14 to 6/7/14, which included a total of 10 reported crimes.

Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicle:

On 6/2/14 between approximately 5:45 pm and 8:30 am the next day, a BFMV occurred in the 800 block of N La Jolla Ave. An unknown suspect entered the victim’s locked vehicle by unknown means and removed a cellphone, keys, and instruments. The suspect attempted to start the vehicle and fled.

On 6/5/14 between approximately 9:30 pm and 9:30 am the next day, a BFMV occurred in the 700 block of N Sweetzer Rd. An unknown suspect smashed a window of the victim’s and removed electronic equipment.

On 6/5/14 between approximately 11:30 am and 10:00 am the next day, a BFMV occurred in the 600 block of N Hayworth Ave. An unknown suspect entered the victim’s locked vehicle by unknown meansand removed computer equipment.

Reminder: Don’t Be a Victim of An Auto -Related Property Crime! LOCK IT- A reminder to always lock your vehicle. HIDE IT- If you must leave valuables in the vehicle, hide them from plain sight. KEEP IT- A positive reminder that personal responsibility can safeguard your valuables from theft.
The Top Items Stolen from Vehicles: GPS Devices, Cell Phones/ Chargers, Money, Stereos/ Radios, Documents, Mail and Check books.

Burglary:

On 6/5/14 between approximately 10:00 am and 7:30 pm, a residential burglary occurred in the 700 block of N Alta Vista Blvd. Unknown suspects gained entry through the front door of the victim’s residence, ransacked the location, and removed a laptop, television, and radio.

On 6/6/14 between approximately 4:30 pm and 5:20 pm, a residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of N Crescent Heights Blvd. Unknown suspects gained entry through a side window of the victim’s residence, ransacked the location, and removed computer equipment.

On 6/5/14 between approximately 10:00 pm and 7:30 am, a residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of N Crescent Heights Blvd. Unknown suspects gained entry through the front door of the victim’s residence and fled.

Grand Theft Auto:

On 06/1/14 between approximately 11:30 pm and 8:00 am the next day, a gray 2004 Chevy Silverado was stolen near the intersection of Romaine St and Croft Ave.

Robbery:

On 06/7/14 at approximately 8:10 pm, a robbery occurred in the 400 block of N Fairfax Ave. The suspect approached the victim and began stabbing the victim in the neck with an unknown sharp object. The suspect demanded the victim’s property. The victim gave the suspect his cellphone in fear and the suspect fled. The suspect was described as male, other ethnicity, brown hair, brown eyes, 5’07” tall, between 170 and 180 pounds, between 40 and 49 years old, and had a round face.

The former location of Trader Joes at the Movietown Plaza located at the corner of Fuller Avenue and Santa Monica Blvd is now gone for good. UPDATE: Traders Joe’s has officially signed a lease to open a brand new store at this location. Construction will start soon. Huge project — expect traffic disruptions and added congestion along Santa Monica Blvd. Demolition crews finished cleaning out the final remnants of this 50’s era shopping centre that once housed a Boy’s Market (before Trader Joe’s) a Sav-on Pharmacy right next door and the Yukon Mining Company Coffee Shop among other small businesses.. ..The question of the hour.. Is Trader Joe’s coming back? Will they wait 2 years before they reopen in this area? Now with the loss of their 3rd street and La Brea’s location overflow parking lot, we hear rumblings that they might be looking at space in some of the recently completed developments at La Brea and Santa Monica Bl or Fountain at La Brea… The same architects behind this project were responsible for the Caruso “8500” Development at the intersection of San Vicente and La Cienega Blvds (coincidently houses another Trader Joes) The plan is for 371 apartments to be built on the site with room for a 40,000 sq ft. market space and other retail.(Sprouts Market is going into the La Brea Gateway Development now under construction at La Brea/Willoughby) Project includes underground parking and will rise 5 stories tall over Santa Monica Blvd when finished… Here’s a look at what’s coming to the site in about 2 years or so…

FAIRFAX Just South of Oakwood—Bird N Hand is a brand new fried chicken place that opened just recently on Fairfax just south of the popular Plan Check…Adel Chagar is behind this new spot (formally Chameau) If you are a fried chicken sandwich craver you should stop by and taste the Harissa Wings or the Tall Bun Chicken Sandwich… From Yelp..”Adel Chagar was the chef behind the popular Moroccan restaurant Chameau, which never dipped below a 28 food rating in Zagat in its nine years in Los Angeles. He’s decided to take on something new with Bird N Hand, bringing a fun, laid back vibe to the ever changing Fairfax district. Don’t let the menu fool you. The simplicity of fried chicken, wings and waffles doesn’t hold Chagar back from innovating and creating unique, strong and delicious flavors.”

Starbucks acquired the San Francisco bakery chain La Boulange Bakery in 2012, on June 12 will open its first Los Angeles location on La Brea (more are planned of course) Unlike its bakeries (local competitors like Le Pain Quotidien and the newly opened La Brea Bakery) which close by about 7 p.m or so – the La Boulange restaurant will serve dinner up until 10 p.m. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, and omelets and adds such later-in-the-day options as croissant burgers, cocktails, and you guessed it… beer, and wine. It’s easy to see why Starbucks wants to enter the L.A. dinner market. The coffee cafe chain largely loses its audience to competitors such as Panera Bread (no locations around here –yet), which racks up something like 22 percent of its sales during dinner service hours. Starbucks has already announced an “Evenings” menu at its own branded cafes–and will no doubt try to apply any lessons to its new restaurant here.

Not exactly at the Farmers Market but close. Another “build your own pizza with all the toppings you want on it” concept opened its doors at the Farmers Market adjacent complex on Fairfax Avenue just north of 3rd street. Blaze “fast fired” Pizza is the first of these new build your own pizza concepts expanding all over America. A pizza made to your liking will set you back just $7.95 for regular crust and a little more for gluten free. I tried it and think they are actually pretty decent and definitely worth the price of admission. In Los Angeles proper, 800 Degrees Pizza in Westwood was first to market a Subway Sandwich type build-your-own concept for pizzas. I wouldn’t say these new fast casuals are genius but you gotta ask what took so long for someone to branch away from made to order sandwiches..Chipotle is king of made to order burritos, will Blaze get the pizza crown or will it be …For the exact location click here. For more info on Blaze Pizza click here

Deja Vu? Circa 2012 when neighbors were up in arms about a 5000 sq. foot facility proposed for Sierra Bonita Avenue only to be voted down by the city of Los Angeles. Here we go again. Michael Gamburd, believed to be owner of Raya’s Paradise, Inc. is back now proposing to build a 3400 sq ft facility to be located at the same address as in his 2012 proposal (see L.A. Times story here) 846-848 Sierra Bonita Ave. Click Here for Street View. A public hearing notice recently went out to neighbors living within a 500 foot radius of the proposed development. The hearing is set for Wednesday May 28th at 12:00 Noon at Los Angeles City Hall – for map to hearing location Click Here

The public notice states: “The construction, use, and maintenance of a one-story, 3415 square-foot eldercare facility with 12 subterranean parking spaces on a 6512 sq. foot site in the R2-1XL Zone. The proposed facility will be omprised of eight guest rooms for 11 people, 62 years of age or older, and will function as an assisted living Alheimer’s/Dementia care facility. An existing duplex will be demolished as part of the project”..

What the notice doesn’t tell you is that public records show that Mr. Gamburd already owns the property adjacent to this proposal and recently converted it to what appears to be some sort of care facility as well. Gamburd also owns and operates a Raya’s Paradise facility directly behind these properties and it’s located at 849-851 N. Gardner Street (See Map Click Here) Public records also show that Mr. Gamburd owns another property at 859 N. Gardner St. (See Map Click Here). A growing contingent of neighbors are expressing outrage overthis latest proposal and say that these facilities are nothing more than for-profit 24 hour business operations that ultimately ruin the neighborhood’s character and will only add to more nuisances like traffic, an already maxed-out street parking problem, and emergency services vehicles racing in and out the neighborhood. Some neighbors like the idea of more housing for the elderly and cite recent studies that indicate the elder population as growing and there being a genuine lack of housing, therefore these facilities will fill that void. Opponents counter that argument saying that the Melrose area already has a disproportionate amount of “care” facilities as outlined in this map published by the L.A. Times back in 2012 about this very issue. What’s your opinion? Post your comments below. Please vote in our poll here. Share this story with your neighbors by scrolling down to the “share” menu button below.

Do You Support More 24-Hour Care Facilities In Our Area?

Yes - I support them

No - I don't support them - We have enough!

No - These are 24-hour businesses and they belong in a business district

“After years of delay, Hollywood’s controversial La Brea Gateway is finally pushing dirt. Located at the northwest corner of La Brea and Willoughby Avenues, the mixed-use development will create 179 apartment units and a 33,500 square foot Sprouts Farmers Market. Designed byVan Tilburg, Banyard & Soderbergh, the five-story building will feature parking accommodations for 463 automobiles and 231 bicycles in an subterranean garage.

Located at 915 North La Brea Avenue (at the corner of Willoughby and La Brea),the project is being developed by Holland Residential, a subsidiary of the Vancouver-based Holland Partner Group. La Brea Gateway has existed in one form or another since 2005, when it was first envisioned as a seven-story, 219 unit building.That slightly larger version of project, proposed by the Martin Group, drew the ire of an especially vocal group of neighbors ho successfully negotiated the planned building down to its current size. Three years later, work is finally underway, with an estimated completion date of November 2015.

NIMBY haircuts aside, Holland Residential’s project is really just one example of a broader trend for La Brea Avenue. Historically considered a commercial boulevard, a recent uptick in mixed-use contruction has added over 1000 residential units along the 2.7 mile stretch of La Brea in-between Wilshire and Hollywood Boulevards. The City of West Hollywood has been particularly active in this regard, having recently opened several new residential-retail developments north of Santa Monica Boulevard. The construction boom is also evident further south, near the Miracle Mile, where mixed-use developments are popping up left and right in advance of the coming Purple Line extension.”

Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Television Network to anchor new space at The Lot Studios

The headquarters for Oprah Winfrey’s television network joins the comedy website “Funny or Die” in the newly constructed Formosa South office tower at The Lot Studios in West Hollywood.

The Oprah Winfrey Network, now based in Los Angeles, plans to move into its new headquarters before the end of this year — an OWN Network spokesman told the Hollywood Reporter. Relocating to the former site once called the Warner Hollywood Studios – The Lot gives the fledging OWN Network access to on-the-lot production facilities, something they’ve been wanting since the deal fell through to occupy a once rumored build-to-suit studio and office complex at
959 Seward St. The Lot Studio sits on 11 acres with seven classic sound stages, it’s own modern commissary, old historic office buildings and plenty of postproduction facilities.

More modern office space is planned at The Lot, said Shaul Kuba, founding principal of CIM Group, owner of the property.. Years ago the CIM group revealed plans that where once ok’d by the city of West Hollywood to significantly build up The Lot by tearing down old and antiquated office space. Apparently those plans were overly ambitious and word is that although CIM will continue to develop the property the size and scoop of it’s plans have been pared down.